American Indian Collection
The museum works closely with regional tribes, as well as others throughout the nation, to respectfully attend to the objects in it’s care and to gain knowledge of the cultures which the collection represents.
Scholars recognize the museum’s Plateau collection as one of the foremost in the nation. The collection includes over 5,000 items of everyday use - such as cornhusk bags, coiled and twined baskets, and food preparation utensils—as well as items of special significance—clothing and personal adornments, horse gear, weapons, and dance related objects.
NAGPRA
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
In 1990, President Bush signed into law the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) to protect Native American graves, human remains and items possessing cultural, traditional, or historical importance.
NAGPRA states that graves and ceremonial and sacred objects belong first and foremost to lineal descendants and to Native American tribes. All Institutions that receive any federal funds, including the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, are required to consult with tribal representatives and to provide information that may lead to the repatriation of culturally sensitive holdings
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